LAST weekend saw the semi-finals of both the Norman Simmons Cup and the President's Cup being played.

In the first semi-final match of the Norman Simmons Cup, Seven Allstars played the Fir Tree.

Fir Tree played some of their best football of the season and made a real game of it. Although the Fir Tree played well it was the Allstars that had the upper hand in just about all areas of play.

Despite being under pressure for long periods, the Fir Tree got on the score sheet with goals from Jonnie Steele and a double from Martin Grizzell. Unfortunately for the Fir Tree, the Allstars replied with interest as Chris Stone, Asa Smith, Martin Loveridge and Jamie Welch all got one each and there were double strikes from both Adrian Jones and Tim Rutherford to complete the scoring as the Allstars ran out 8-3 winners to gain a place in the final.

The second semi-final saw Cross Keys take on Morgan Aero 8. This, as with many previous encounters, proved to be a hard fought game with little difference between the sides. Some good scoring chances were created by both sides only for some equally good defending to prevent many of them being converted.

Try as they did, the Morgan team could not find a way through the Keys defence. Cross Keys faired little better but were able to find a way to the target on two occasions as Ollie Endacott and Matt Ireson both found a finishing touch to see the Keys go through, with a 2-0 win, to face the Allstars in the final.

The first semi-final of the President's Cup pitched Keyz 04 against the Beauchamp. Having gained their only league win of this campaign over 04, the Beauchamp had no intention of losing their chance of reaching the final.

The football played by both sides was a little disjointed for long periods of time but it was the Beauchamp that got the first goal as Sam Beckingham headed home from a free-kick. The score was level again when Anthony Lampitt was first to the loose ball in the area.

The Beauchamp went back in front when John Allen was quickest to react to a through ball and slotted past the 04 keeper.

Early in the second half the score was levelled again when Mathew Lancett put the ball home after it came back off the post from an Andy Lancett shot. As time grew short and extra time loomed the Beauchamp had the last chance to win and they took it as Chris Golding lobbed the rushing 04 keeper and they reached the final with a 3-2 win.

The other semi-final saw Belmont Keys playing Le Mano De Dios 86. As both sides knew that only one goal separated them in their league encounter they were expecting a close and hard fought game and that is what they got. With both defences having the upper hand over their opponents' strike force, there were not many real chances created by either side and it looked as though they would be playing extra-time before going into a penalty shoot-out to decide who would progress into the final.

With less than two minutes remaining of normal time Belmont were awarded a penalty and a real chance to reach the final. The man chosen to take the pressure in this situation was Rich Green and he duly obliged his team mates as he dispatched the spot-kick into the back of the Le Mano net. After playing the last few seconds remaining it was Belmont who were cheering as they won 1-0.

6:21pm Thursday 14th February 2008

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